Leon Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 Morning Neil, like the idea of buying a house based on its loft...lol No decoders yet, still waiting til pay day which is at the end of the month, been a long month this one... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Yeah tell me about it mate, i was all ready to go spending my wages today and i dont get paid till monday ..guess my decoders will have to wait to Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Hi Leon, the BDAs look right at home on your layout. Lovely wagons aren’t they, Bachmann do make nice wagons. I bet some of the forthcoming BAAs would look good there too, I think you had better get some! Always nice to see a Grid on steel…….B) I can also just imagine the coal 37 trundling passed on the engineers train…….. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Hi Leon, I have to agree with Grimley those BDAs do look good, I have a couple to do myself. I am not sure you need to remove too much paint from the cargowaggons, I remember them as being pretty well covered. The pics below show a couple at Cardiff and one that I have done. I have seen pics with them cleaned around numbers etc. Paul Bartlett's wagon website is worth a look. Cheers Peter. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 Evening all, Went train spotting tonight and caught a bit of action, some RES stock receives attention under the floodlights as a 60 arrives for fuel. 56032 arrives with a mixed steel from Round Oak. Been working on the embankment in front of the depot hopefully can get it done this weekend. Thanks Grim and Peter for your comments, great pic of the Duff through Cardiff Central, hopefully I can run that train one day... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 great pictures as always i like the res parcels carriges, david Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share Posted July 24, 2011 Evening or should I say morning all, been painting skirting boards all day so not much progress on the layout, went up in the atic for an hour and had a play, all locos ran well. Took some pics , sorry about the poor quality need to install more spotlights at some point. Pics show the work on the embankment from the fiddle yard, 37 on Railfreight Coal, Rfd 37 hauling a "dead" Crew 47 into the depot and a 66 on Freightliner flats and no escaping the local graffitti artist as he manages to "tag" the last 20ft container. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Hi Leon, Great pics, it's good to see how you have added the fiddleyard by the depot. Your layout really has that feeling of space.B) Cheers Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Apologies if this has been asked before Leon, but what at the approximate dimensions of the layout? Like so many others in this thread, I am in awe of the sense of space these photos show. I am particularly taken with the curving yard, but cannot guess how much space this takes up? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbull1845 Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Excellent pics Leon, I always wondered how it fitted into your loft, now I know. It looks great.. On a side note, I introduced my Dad to RMweb last week and he commented on your layout. He really likes it and said it reminds him of the old days when we used to go to Newport and surrounding areas, I have to agree. Cheers Scott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mason Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 I agree it would be great to see the track plan Leon, the space you have created is superb, and its nice to see the shot of the fiddle yard, i actually thought the layout went round and i have to say the Depot area is fantastic, very well modelled and is pretty good just on its own. great work mate Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgiesimon Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 There is a sketch track plan earlier in the topic, just looking for it and will add below - three quarters of the way day page 4! By the way, this is an excellent layout and a well written topic which I enjoy reading Thank you Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
srh474 Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 ive got one word for you........................ Cracking is that a lima 47 i spy? it doesnt look out of place even with the lack of detail compared to Heljan and Bachmann ones etc ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 Evening all, Ian & Simon, like to firstly thank you for the kind words, means alot. Also Jon, quiet a few comments to reply to so hope I dont miss anyone. Jon just totted up some dimensions...from fiddle yard to fiddle yard the total track length is 37ft broken down into what I call the mainline fiddle yard which is 6ft then once entering the layout through the tunnel based loosely on the one to the East of Newport Station you pass the depot on the right aprox 6ft then into the yard that curves off to the left, There is a Trainload Metals owned wagon works in the right corner servicing wagons from the local steelworks. I decided to have a curved yard as this was the best way to get the most length the yard sidings are a min of 10ft on the inner curve and about 13ft on the outer curve. Pushing on through the yard there is a branch off to the left to the steelworks, covers about 6ft, the branch then continues to the "Docks" fiddle yard which is about 5ft. I wanted an end to end not a roundy so I would not be tempted to just leave trains chase there tail, with end to end I have to be watching the trains at all times. Ian, yes thats an old 2nd hand Lima from Rails, I love the 47's but could not afford a Bachmann one just yet so got this jus to drag around as a failed loco. (still needs detailing nameplates etc) Next paydays hit list includes about 4 47's, Bachmanns Intercity or RES, or Large Logo or the cheaper Vi versions ideally I would have a Rfd one but cant find any so maybe I will need another failed Lima one from Rails or Ebay. Thanks Mason, Hi Scott is a basic plan some pages ago, could do with a newer more detailed one at some point. Being lucky enough to have the attic space is a bit of a double edged sword, I have often thought the layout would have been completed sometime ago and to a better quality had I just limited it to say a small depot taking up just one side of the room with no more than 3-4 points. I have 25 points which is not cheap, hence the lack of point motors as the cost of them alone is into the hundred. Two years down the line I was hoping it would be complete (if thats ever possible with a layout) and I would now be improving stock and even running sound locos but time and costs are taking its toll, maybe I need to advertise a club night or something as im findng it a struggle on my own both in cost and time....lol. Spent the weekend on youtube listening to sound 60's & 66's..makes the hair on your neck stand up, cheapest I found was Howes at £117. If the wife knew..... Anyway, once I get some more spotlights I will try to get some more pics up of the whole layout, I tend to take the pics close up as it hides all the bad bits.... Thanks again guys. Oh ps grew some grass over the weekend, Nice to see a bit of green as I have never been happy with the all over brown colour of the layout, going to try to spray the ballast grey, but wont be easy now everything is in place.. Also, cant decide if I rather the yard empty or full of stock????? 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Love the reinforced cutting side in that last shot. Thanks for replying re sizes. I've jsut dipped my toe back in UK outline with a bargain EWS sound equipped 08, picked up second-hand but clearly barely used. Of course, that wasn't any good on its own so it now has a rake of 5 autoballasters to shunt. Not sure how this fits in with my HO american stuff but I'm thinking of putting EM wheels underneath - I've an Ultrascale conversion pack in the drawer that needs used! Sorry for rambling, keep up the inspirational work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 Thanks Jon, I did put some mesh down before the grass to represent what is sometimes seen along side motorways to prevent land slips but think I grassed over them a bit to much. Good luck with the sound 08, bet its going to be great fun, from the ones on Youtube they do sound really good. All the best ps the reinforced wall protects one of those AWS thingies and maybe a relay box at some point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted July 25, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 25, 2011 The overall shots give a great sense of the size of the layout - very useful. I do like what you have achieved. The space on the layout works very well - you have spaced everything out well, resisting the temptation of squeezing too much track into the space avaliable - I think that you have got the right balance. I would like to built something this large in my garage one day, but will stick with the portable layouts for the time being myself. Do like what you have built though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 Evening all, one of the items on to do list was replace the spotlights in the ceiling, I was concerned they would over heat. They also pointed to the centre of the attic not the layout as the roof if obvious angled. Came across Three spotlights on one in Ikea at a good price of £5.99. I have replace two of the spotlights with these over the yard area which now gives me 6 GU10 spotlights I can move and point over the yard and Wagon Wks area. The lighting in this area I feel has been greatly improved thus me not needing to use the 500w Floodlight. The light is great in the winter as it gives off so much heat but unbearable in summer... I just need to get two more lights from Ikea for over the Depot and Steel work area's. Ran a few of the Vi 37's and found they stalled on one of the points, after lots of cleaning they still stalled. I then ran the Hornby Class 60 at low (realistic speed) and it never failed once. I guess you do get what you pay for...The Hornby loco was so silent and smooth compared to the Vi. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beresford Junction Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Hi Leon Looking great, and the not sure if it's just me, but the photos have improved - perhaps the subtle colour change in the light. When I put up some similar mini spots, it was the best £20 spent, in fact I was in Homebase today working out options for the new part under contruction. I'd been looking at the Vi '37s myself, but having never had one was always a bit suspicious of what you were going to get for what isn't much more than a detailed wagon. Cheers Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 loads of great photos , really like the class 60 david Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.C.M Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Hi Leon, Those spotlights make a difference.B) I had a look at my VItrains 37 and it seems they only pick up from the outside wheel sets as opposed to the Bachmann and Hornby which pick up from all wheels. Adding a pick up to the centre wheels looks doable, maybe give the backs of the wheels where the pick up are a bit of a clean. I haven't had ant trouble with my locos on my points. Are yours insulfrog or electrofrog? as that would cause a problem the insulfrogs have a dead section. If the blades aren't going over hard enough you can push the spring housing towards the tie bar which will help push the blade over. I clean the inside of the rail and point blade with a bit of turps on a cotton bud, or maybe try a bit of fine Wet & Dry and give it a rub. you may have managed to get some paint in there. Cheers Peter. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi all, not much going on recently, been doing other things. Work is slowly going on with the fiddle yard and also the tunnel portal that leads to it. Whilst the fiddle yard is being "made neater" locos' and wagon are stabled in the yard. Hope to start spending some more time and money on the layout after September so hopefully will have something of interest to photo. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi Leon, Those spotlights make a difference. I had a look at my VItrains 37 and it seems they only pick up from the outside wheel sets as opposed to the Bachmann and Hornby which pick up from all wheels. Adding a pick up to the centre wheels looks doable, maybe give the backs of the wheels where the pick up are a bit of a clean. I haven't had ant trouble with my locos on my points. Are yours insulfrog or electrofrog? as that would cause a problem the insulfrogs have a dead section. If the blades aren't going over hard enough you can push the spring housing towards the tie bar which will help push the blade over. I clean the inside of the rail and point blade with a bit of turps on a cotton bud, or maybe try a bit of fine Wet & Dry and give it a rub. you may have managed to get some paint in there. Cheers Peter. Sorry Peter, only just read your post. Forgive me. The points were electrofrog but i naively removed the wire that came from the underside as I did now know what it was for>>> I had done what you suggested on the points, cleaned the blades etc. As the Hornby trains run fine Im thinking it may be down to cheap decoders. When I get some spare cash I will try some Neil Mason uses. Thanks again, Peter, and all that have viewed. All the best Leon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Hi all, no action for a while, lost interest and lack of money to spend on the layout no help. Did pick up Hornbys cheap n chearfull FY 59. Get what you pay for, only £43 so no lighting. Bodywork detail pretty good and i'm sure some pipes and weathering will improve the looks. Hoping the purchase will re kindle my interest. Its in South Wales on Trial. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne 37901 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Seems to look at home on a South Wales based layout Leon, all it needs is a rate of JTA/JUA iron ore tipplers. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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